My 2005 XK8 J gate Manual side quit working this spring. I use it to downshift while coming down the mountain and for nothing else. I've noticed the D light flashing while in drive position and lights don't light up on 2,3,4,5 on manual side. I don't know if sport mode works or not as I've never used it. Other than that the transmission shifts automatically, perfect. I'm fine with it as is but don't want to be off on vacation and have to drive home on limp mode.
Thanks for any ideas or warnings about this condition.

 

From the TCM's perspective, moving the shifter in the J-Gate just activates and deactivates switches. The activity on those switches is then sent out on the CAN bus to the gate's illumination module. It is my understanding that the TCM monitors the condition of those switches for "absurd" conditions, like the shifter being in "Drive" (drive switch activated) while seemingly still not off of "Neutral". The short of it it that you need to open up the shifter assembly and double check the condition of all those switches. To my knowledge, they sometimes fall apart (the trigger arm falls off, etc) or they just stop working. There is also a non-trivial re-assembly process that requires manual adjustments so that all the switches work together as the shifter moves in all positions.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

 

This thread may help with access to the microswitch https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-cover-257813/

 

Thanks fmertz, I assume you mean removing the center console to access the switches.
It only had 34,000 miles on it. Should of been made more durable.

 

Thanks For the info.

 

I've been studying the workshop manual and now understand what I need to check out.
Thanks again

 

Ditto on all the above. When I bought my '01 XK8, attempting to use the manual side caused it to go into limp mode. I removed the console and the J-gate assembly following the instructions I found here and on YouTube, and found that the microswitch that detects the lever moving to the manual side was not activating. The switch itself was fine but the plastic where it mounted had weakened so it wasn't holding the switch securely in place. Bought a used J-gate assembly from Ebay and swapped that piece in, and all was good.

Brian

 

Thanks bwryan, I hope to take a look at mine in a couple weeks.

 

Yep, sadly as is the case with so many of the plastic parts, it's often more about age related deterioration of the plastic rather than frequency of use or mileage.

 

Hopefully some day the aftermarket folks will start to make better plastic parts. For Jag owners 3D printing would be a good hobby to take up.